Assessment

Assessment of the taught component will be as described previously and in the various unit descriptors. The combinations of written and oral examination together with report writing and presentations will ensure that the assessment accurately reflects the balance of knowledge acquisition and communication skills that are central to the philosophy of the MSc programme. These units will be wholly assessed within the semester in which they are taught.

The project and dissertation will be completed within a three month period and will be assessed at the end of this period by two examiners. Included in this will be a mark for an oral presentation to members of the CMB as part of the lunchtime seminar programme.

The examination board will meet in June and September to determine student marks and progression.

Examination of the taught units will take place at the end of the semester in which they are taught. In order to pass the taught unit component a candidate must normally obtain:

1. An overall average mark of 50% (all units carry equal weighting).
2. A mark of 40% or more in at least 7 units.

If (1) is satisfied but not (2), then a candidate may be allowed to proceed to the project stage provided that they:

• obtain a mark of at least 40% in at least half of the individual units and
• redeem marks of less than 40% on half of these units by completing extra work in a time scale agreed by the board of internal examiners.

The dissertation must be submitted no more than 51 weeks after the start of the MSc, and will be assessed by two assessors appointed by the university. At least one will be a member of the University. The pass mark for the dissertation is 40%. A candidate who submits a dissertation may, at the discretion of the examiners, be called for a viva voce examination.

Award of the MSc Degree in Mathematical Biology

For candidates who have completed the taught unit stage and the dissertation stage of the course, the examiners may recommend one of the following awards:

MSc Pass with Distinction
MSc Pass

The award of Pass with Distinction is recommended at the discretion of the Board of Examiners, and normally requires that a candidate has achieved an overall average mark of at least 70% for the taught unit examinations and has also been awarded a mark of at least 70% for the assessment of the dissertation. Otherwise the award of Pass is given.

Assessment arrangements for the postgraduate diploma.

1. The Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematical Biology is assessed on the basis of the performance in the taught units (by examination and coursework).
2. Examination of the taught units will take place in the examination period at the end of the semester in which they are taught.

In order to pass the taught unit component of the Postgraduate Diploma a candidate must normally obtain:

• An overall average mark of 40% (all units carry equal weighting)
• At least 40% in at least 7 units.

If the former is satisfied but the latter is not, then a candidate may be allowed to redeem marks of less than 40% on up to 3 units in order to reach Postgraduate Diploma standard.

Award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematical Biology

For candidates who have completed the taught unit stage of the course, the examiners may recommend the award:

Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematical Biology.

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